Why it is important to practice Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) at the beginning of the class?
- Vanessa
- Sep 30, 2018
- 2 min read
A traditional type of yoga usually will include Surya Namaskar / Sun Salutation in the class, especially at the beginning of the class. Ever wonder why we have to start with Surya Namaskar? “… let me repeat that no asana practice is complete without sun worship. Without its focusing of mental energies, yoga practice amounts to little more than gymnastics and, as such, loses meaning and proves fruitless. Indeed the Surya Namaskara should never be mistaken for mere physical exercise –for something incidental, that is, that simply precedes the asanas of yoga. Therefore, it is necessary, before beginning the sun salutations, to pray to Surya […] to bestow upon us the good fortune of having only good thoughts, of hearing and speaking only good words, and of attaining a sound and strong body, so that we may have a long life and, one day, achieve oneness with God.”
-Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, “Surya namskara”

There are many more reasons :
Served at a warm up. The whole set consist of 12 poses can be a complete practise as it strengthen, lengthen, extend and flex the muscles of the entire body.
It increases blood circulation while calming the mind.
Is a moving meditation when you are so focus on the breath and movement but nothing else.
The whole set of Surya Namaskar activated the prana / vital life force within us - cultivating overall health and well-being
Surya/ Sun represent 3rd eye in the physiology body, Sun Salutation helps to activate 3rd eyes and balanced all 7 chakras.
Surya Namaskar / Sun Salutation - we give thanks to the sun for life - giving light, learn to be grateful
The act of bowing when we fold forward will cultivate ego-less way of life and the palm pressing against each other balances the left and the right hemisphere of our brain triggering the awareness of oneness of all life.
Comments